Rescue Mission Offers Prayer, Meals to Many

About 1,200 of the county’s poor and homeless were treated to prayer and a bountiful Thanksgiving feast Wednesday afternoon, courtesy of the Ventura County Rescue Mission.

Tomas Cassia, director of food services for the mission, said the Oxnard shelter prepared about 130 turkeys, 50 gallons of stuffing and 500 pounds of potatoes.

But the size of the supper was not too daunting for Cassia, who typically supervises the preparation of about 700 meals each day for the mission, which operates the only year-round shelter in Ventura County.

“Anybody can be homeless,” Cassia said as he pushed aside a kitchen cart stacked seven shelves deep with pumpkin pies. “Maybe they just lost their job, or they are newly arrived in the country, or they just got out of jail.”

Frankie Jay Bott has been eating meals at the mission for 15 years since suffering serious injuries in a motorcycle accident. Until about four months ago he collected federal disability checks, but was recently declared no longer eligible.

Bott, 44, said he now earns about $200 a month cleaning homes.

“The mission helps me when I am in between meals,” said Bott, who lives in a small apartment in Oxnard.

In addition to free food, the rescue mission provides clothing, medical services and counseling to recovering drug addicts and alcoholics.

Before guests stood in line for the buffet meal, actor George Kennedy told the crowd the mission had helped his adult daughter, Shawna, with her drug addiction several years ago.

“Nobody had time . . . to care for her, including her mother and I,” said Kennedy, who lives in Oxnard. “But the mission had time for her, and they gave me my daughter back.”

The 150-bed shelter, which relies on donations, employs graduates of its addiction recovery program.

Anthony Field said he got lost in a drug-induced haze nine years ago, but after successfully completing the recovery program he now works as a security guard for the shelter.

The Thousand Oaks native is celebrating nine months of sobriety, and said his 18-year-old daughter--whom he hasn’t seen in years--has asked him to come to her high school graduation.

“And my parents allow me at home again,” said Field, 36. “I am part of the family again.”

To show their support for the mission, state and local officials helped dish out the Thanksgiving feast.

County Supervisor Kathy Long, who was joined by state Sen. Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley), Assemblyman Tony Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) and members of the Oxnard and Ventura city councils, said she was participating in the annual event for the first time.

“It’s heartwarming, people helping people,” Long said. “And full stomachs make a difference.”

The mission, which will serve additional meals from noon to 2 p.m. today, will be joined by other charities in Ventura County with special Thanksgiving Day programs open to the public.

* The Oxnard-Port Hueneme Salvation Army will serve meals at 10:30 a.m. and noon at its facility at 622 W. Wooley Road. The program will include a worship service and entertainment. Even those who didn’t sign up in advance can stop by, officials said.

* The Salvation Army will have a lunch for seniors from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 650 S. Petit St., Ventura.

* The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging expects to distribute nearly 500 meals countywide today to ensure homebound residents 60 and older have food and someone with whom to talk.